TRANSPARENCY
Association Rifugio Digitale E.T.S.
WHO WE ARE
A unique exhibition space that was built on the foundations of an old air-raid shelter designed in 1943 as a place of defense against the bombings of World War II. The “Rifugio della Fornace,” once a place of refuge from a tragic reality, is now “Rifugio Digitale,” a place of rebirth, where technology meets art, giving life to a contemporary space where creativity can be explored through the current language of technology.
The redevelopment project, curated by the Archea Associati studio, hosts digital realities of all kinds, always with an eye on the future and new avant-gardes. It hosts exhibitions, as well as events and performances related to art, architecture, photography, literature, cinema, and any other initiative linked to the digital world. By displaying unprecedented visions, and not only, through 16 screens arranged along the 33 meters of the tunnel, Florence is equipped with a space where the connection between the arts, people, and technology creates an intense, unexpected, and interactive experience. A space designed for constant and dynamic change, with a new and exciting speed that sets it apart from a traditional art gallery.
WHAT WE DO
Education and research are the fundamental pillars underlying the conception and evolution of the project. The work of the association represents a unique opportunity to inform and educate the public about the latest trends and research in the field of Digital Art, as well as guiding and supporting artists in the creation of NFTs. Through its activities, the digital gallery can contribute to raising awareness about digital issues and enriching the cultural debate at both national and international levels.
With the creation of Rifugio Digitale in Florence, a previously forgotten space is now transformed into an exhibition environment where the fusion of art and technology creates an engaging, surprising, and interactive experience, accessible to everyone for free. This 165-square-meter space is versatile, dedicated to hosting and organizing exhibitions, debates, lectures, and informal dialogues aimed at a diverse audience eager to discover a place for cultural exchange and up-to-date knowledge in the heart of Florence.
In its first year of activity, Rifugio Digitale hosted internationally renowned artists, including Fabrizio Plessi, Roberto Di Caro, Luca Locatelli, Charlotte Dumas, Franco Ionda, Matthieu Gafsou, and Piero Percoco. The exhibited works—dynamic, static, physical, and digital—established a unique dialogue with the tunnel each time, guiding viewers through an immersive journey. The uniqueness of the works blends into a narrative continuity generated by the sequence of screens, creating an immersive experience for the viewer. This characteristic of the space, with its rhythmic succession of monitors, has inspired some artists to create works specifically for this environment, such as Oro by Fabrizio Plessi and Tormento e Luce by Franco Ionda.
WHO SUPPORTO US
The Association Rifugio Digitale E.T.S. collaborates with the publishing house Forma Edizioni for the creation of the graphic materials, the promotion of events, and the sale of artworks selected by the artists for each exhibition.